I use something like this for the beginning of a work day. I set it to launch (for example) iTunes, Mail, iChat, and iCal, and then hide everything except Mail.
I think it’s handy. I trigger it to run and then go get coffee and when I get back everything is where I want it to be. If your computer’s slow, probably increase the value in that line that says “delay 5″.
Very easily adaptable as you’ll see if you open it in Script Editor.